Golf club carrier



March 9, 1965 c. MOSES 3,172,681

GOLF CLUB CARRIER Filed March 15, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Charles Moses ATTORNEY March 9, 1965 c. MOSES GOLF CLUB CARRIER 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13, 1965 FIG.7

INVENTOR.

Charles Moses BY flaw.

7 ATTORNEY FIG.11

March 9, 1965 c. MOSES 3,172,681

GOLF CLUB CARRIER Filed March 15, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet .3

FIGS

1 grzo giss . INVENTOR. f -K Charles Moses ATTORNEY United States PatentThis invention relates in general to a golf club carrier, and morespecifically to an improved golf club carrier which can be eitherdetachably connected to a known wheeled cart or optionally carried overones shoulder.

More particularly, this invention is directed to a golf club carrier ofthe general type disclosed in US. Patents 1,696,062; 1,951,492;2,482,372; 2,679,876; 2,863,483; and 2,950,798, all of which have incommon a series of tubular members connected between upper and lowersupports arranged so that each tubular member forms a pocket or slot forreceiving the shaft of a given club. However, the known constructionshave been mainly concerned with holding the golf clubs only.Accessibility to other accessories required for the game of golf such asballs, tees, pencils and personal articles were not taken intoconsideration in the known constructions. Some of the patentedconstructions make provision for an accessory bag for carrying sucharticles. However, it is not desirable to store articles such as tees,pencils, score cards and balls in such bags when the game is beingplayed because of the diihculty of access thereto each time their usewas required.

Therefore an object of this invention is to provide for a novel golfclub carrier of the class generally described in which the clubs and theother incidental accessories necessary to enjoy the game of golf arerendered readily accessible for instant use when the use thereof is madenecessary.

Another object is to provide a golf club carrier of the class describedwhich can be readily detachably connected to carts of knownconstruction.

Still another object is to provide the golf club carrier with a novelgolf ball dispenser in which the balls can be individually dispensedwhen desired.

Still another object is to construct the carrier of the class describedso that it may be optionally carried by a wheeled golf cart or over onesshoulder.

Still another object is to provide a golf club carrier of improvedconstruction with novel means for securing thereto an accessory bag.

Still another object is to provide a novel golf club carrier which isrelatively simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to fabricate,and positive in operation.

The golf club carrier of this invention comprises essentially meansdefining a top and bottom supporting means, each of which has formedtherein a series of axially aligned tube seats. The seats of the uppersupport means are defined as apertures or holes extending therethroughand as cup shaped seats with tapered side walls in the bottom support.Between the respective support means are a plurality of tubular memberswhich are fitted into the corresponding aligned tube seats, therespective tubular members being specifically constructed so as to befrictionally secured in their respective tube seats. In accordance withthis invention novel golf ball dispensing means are formed integral withthe upper support means for storing and individually dispensing theballs as desired. Also the upper support means is provided with meansfor retaining tees, pencils, score cards, cigarettes the the like so asto be rendered instantly accessible. Also an accessory bag is providedand it is novelly secured to the carrier. Means are also provided foreither detachably connecting the carrier of this invention to a wheeled3 ,172,681 Patented Mar. 9, 1965 carrier cart, or for optionallycarrying the .same over ones shoulder. Means are also provided forcarrying thereon an umbrella.

A feature of this invention resides in the specific arrangement of theupper support means which is constructed and arranged so as to renderall the necessary acessories of a golf game instantly accessible andreadied for use.

Another feature resides in the novel golf ball storing and dispensingcompartment formed integral with the upper support means.

Still another feature resides in the specific provision by which thetubular members are secured between the up per and lower support means.

Still another feature resides in the provision in which the accessorybag is secured between the upper and lower support means.

Other features and advantages will be rendered readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and specification in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation View of the golf club carrier shown attachedto a golf cart of known construction.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the upper support.

FIG. 3 is a detail side view illustrating the detachable.

connecting means for the top support means.

FIG. 4 is a detail front view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom support means.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the upper carrier support.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the lower support means of FIG. 6, havingportions thereof shown in section.

FIG. 8 illustrates the carrier arranged to be carried over onesshoulder.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a modified top support plate having portionsbroken away.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of FIG. 9, having parts shown insection.

F 1G. 11 is a side view of a dispensing means.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the improved golf club carrier 29 ofthis invention illustrated in combination with a wheeled golf cart 21 ofknown construction. Essentially the cart 21 comprises a vertical orupright support column 22 to which there is connected a wheel brace 23and associated wheels 24. A handle 25 is pivotally connected to thecolumn 22. Connected to the bottom of the support column 22 is a bottomplatform 26 by which the cart 21 can be supported upright when it is notbeing rolled or pushed. Connected to the upper and lower ends of thecolumn 22 are a bracket means 27, 28 which is adapted to detachablyreceive the mounting brackets connected to the upper and lower supportmeans of the carrier, as will be hereinafter described. Essentially thebracket means 27, 28 includes a bent plate or channellike member 29having laterally offset vertical extending flanged wing portions 29A.The respective bent plate 29 of the respective brackets 27, 28 aresecured to the support upright 22 of the cart 21 by a U strap 30 and nutand bolt means 31. The upper and lower bracket means 27, 2a are similar,except that the upper channel member 29 has connected thereto a bottomweb or flange 29B.

In accordance with this invention the golf club carrier 20 comprises anupper or top supporting plate 35 and a lower supporting plate 36. Asshown in FIG. 2, the top support plate 35 comprises a substantiallyrectangularly shaped member 35A having cut-elf corner portions 353 alongthe leading portion thereof. A depending flange circumscrihes the plate35C. The top plate 35 has a central cut-out portion 37 extendinginwardly from f stantially two golf ball diameters.

the leading edge thereof. A series of holes 38 are formed in the plate35 to define tube seats. As shown holes 38 extend in a row along therear edge thereof, and three like holes are located along each side edgeof the top plate 35. Disposed on one side of the central cut-out 37 area series of holes 39 in which the stems of tees are frictionallyretained. Consequently it will be noted that the tees are stored so thatthey can be easily reached. One of the holes 49 may be oversized forreceiving a score pencil. If desired, hole 40 may be provided withtapering depending wall 40A for retaining the pencil. The other side ofthe plate 35 is provided with a wall or recess 41 for storing cigarettesand the like.

On opposite sides of the cut-out portion 37 there is provided a cardholding tab 42 blanked out of the top plate 35 for securing a score card43 to the top plate. Thus, the score card 43 is secured in a manner inwhich the score can be readily recorded, and rendered visible at alltimes.

A feature resides in a novel golf ball storing and dispensingcompartment 45 formed integral with the top plate. This is attained byproviding the top plate 35 with a depending wall or flange 46, 47 whichcircumscribes the cut-out portion of the plate and which defines theside walls of the compartment. Preferably the spacing between theopposed flanges 4d and 47 equals sub- See FIGS. 2 and 6. Connected tothe fiange portion 43 which defines the rear Wall of the golf ballcompartment 45 is a resilient elongated member or finger 49 arranged todefine the bottom wall of the compartment. The free end 49A of thefinger of tongue 49 is curved upwardly, and defines a stop at the frontof the compartment 45 for the balls disposed in the compartment. Acentral web 4913 is connected to the finger or tongue 49 and it definesa partition between the two rows of golf balls. Thus, it will be notedthat each row of balls is confined between the top plate 35, the rearflange 48, side flanges 46 and 47, the web 45B disposed therebetween,and on the bottorn by the portion of the tongue 49 extending laterallyof the web 49B. The upward curled end or stop 49A at the front of thefinger 49 prohibits the balls from falling out of the compartment. Thus,to dispense the balls as desired the tongue or finger 4.9 is simplyflexed downwardly sufficiently to permit a ball to be passed by thecurled end 49B of the tongue.

The bottom support 36 as shown in FIG. comprises a fiat member 50 havinga central cut-out portion 51, and a series of recessed, cup-shaped tubeseats 52. formed therein. The cup tube seats 52 are disposed inalignment with corresponding tube seats 38 in the top plate 35. 'Each ofthe cup seats 52 is formed with tapering side walls 52A. As shown thebottom plate 51 is provided with a circumscribing depending flange 53.

Arranged to be seated in the corresponding tube seats 38 and 52 are aseries of elongated tubular members 54. As shown in FIG. 6, the upperends of tubes 54 are each provided with a beaded edge 54A and the bottomend of each tube 54 is provided with spaced elongated slots or slits 55.Preferably the diameter of the tube is substantially equal to thediameter of the tube seats 38. To assemble the tubes 54 to the platemembers 35, 52, each tube 54 is inserted in the tube seat 38 of theupper plate and it is forced down until the bottom end of the tube 54 isswedged into the cup tube seal 52 of the lower member 36. The splits 55facilitate the swedging of the tubes 54 in the cup seats 52'. Thus, afirm positive friction fit is provided between the tubes 54 and therespective Support plates 35, 36. For a more positive connection theinternal walls of the cup seat 52 may be scored or serrated.

Alsofin accordance with this invention, an accessory bag 56 is disposedbetween the upper and lower support plates 36, 37. As shown in FIGS. 1,3 and 7, the bag 56 is formed preferably of plastic and includes a bag 4having front 56A, rear 56B, connecting side 56C panels, a top 5613 and abottom wall 56E. The front 56A of the bag 56 may be provided with azippered fastener opening 57.

In accordance with this invention, the rear panel 56B of the bag hasintegrally formed therewith a pair of sleeve loops 57. Accordingly thebag 56 is secured between plates 36 and 37 by threading the middle twotubes 54D, 54E (see FIG. 5), of the rear row through the respectivesleeve loops 57. Thus it will be noted that the bag 56 is firmlysecured, and can be readily re moved if desired.

If desired an umbrella support means may be provided. As shown the upperplate 36 has connected thereto a detachable clamping means 64 forsecuring an umbrella thereto, and the lower plate 37 has connectedthereto a bracket 61 with a hole 62 for receiving the tip end of theumbrella. V

For detachably connecting the carrier 2% to the golf cart 21, the upperand lower support plates 35, 36 have connected to the rear flangethereof a C-shaped bracket 63 which is adapted to be slipped onto therespective channel mount 29 connected to the cart support 22. A base or'web 293 connected to the upper cart mount 29 limits the downwardmovement of the C-shaped bracket 63 when the carrier 21) is connectedthereto.

In order to sling the carrier 20 over ones shoulder, a shoulder strap 65may be detachably connected by fastening means 66, 67 to the upper andlower supports 36, 37 as shown in FIG. 8. As shown the fastening meansconnected to the ends of the shoulder strap comprise a slip type membersimilar in construction to the top mounting bracket 29 connected to thecart. Thus it will be noted that the G-shaped member 63 connected to therespective top and bottom support means 35,36 receive the fasteners 66,67, respectively.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a slightly modified top support means 135. Thetop support means is similar in all respects to the support means 35hereinbefore described, but for a differently constructed golf ballstoring and dispensing compartment 136. Generally the top support 135comprises a plate 137 having a depending circumscribing flange 138 andthe tube seats 139. Connected to the underside of plate 137 is adepending flange or wall portion disposed to define the sides 140, front141A, and rear 141 of the golf ball dispensing compartment 136. Acentral partition 142 divides the compartment 136 in half so that tworows ofballs may be-stored within the compartment 136. The bottom of thecompartment is defined by a strip 143 and 144 which extends between thefront 141A and rear 141 of the compartment. Each strip 143 and 144, itwill be noted, is less than the width or distance between a side walland the partition 142. Thus the bottom of the compartment is partiallyopen, the open portions being insufiicient to permit a ball from passingtherethrough. The strips 143, 144 are connected at one end to the rearwall 141 and at their other end to a cross arm 145 which extends betweenthe side walls 140 adjacent the front wall 141A. As shown the cross armis provided with a finger hole 143A and 144A disposed in line with therespective strips 143 and 144. The size of the finger is smaller thanthe diameter of the ball, and thus the balls cannot be dispensedtherethrough.

The opening for dispensing the ball from the compartment is formed inthe surface of the top plate 137. As shown the dispensing openings 146,147 are disposed in alignment with the finger holes 143A, 144A,respectively. Thus it will be apparent that to dispense the golf ballsfrom either row within the compartment, one need only to insert hisfinger through one of the holes 143A, 144A and push the ball seatedtherein up through the dispensing opening 146 or 147 located in the topplate'137. It will be noted that the score card 42 (not shown in FIG. 9)when retained in position as described in FIG-2 will serve to preventunintentional removal of the ball from compartment 145.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a relatively simple golfclub carrier is attained. The respective component parts can be readilyformed of plastic. The construction is such that the top supportprovides means for individually dispensing golf balls, while at the sametime rendering all the accessory equipment required to play the gameinstantly accessible. Thereby little if any time is lost in hunting fora pencil, tee, score card, or the like. Consequently, the aggravationfor hunting for such articles and the loss of time resulting therefromis completely eliminated with the instant construction. Therefore, aplayer need concentrate only on his game.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to aparticular embodiment thereof, it is to be appreciated that theinvention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof asmodifications and variations thereof may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier for golf clubs comprising means defining a top supporthaving a plane top surface, means defining a bottom support, each ofsaidsupport means having a plurality of aligned tube seats formed therein, atubular member for receiving a golf club fitted into each of saidaligned tube seats, means connected to each of said support means fordetachably connecting said carrier to a wheeled golf cart, wherein saidtop support has integrally formed therewith a golf ball dispensing meansincluding depending wall portions connected substantially normal to theundersurface of said top support means to define a front openingcompartment sized for receiving a plurality of golf balls disposed inline therein, and a resilient tongue member defining a bottom for saidcompartment to form the bottom support for each of said balls disposedwithin said compartment, the leading end of said tongue being bentupwardly toward said top support means to define a stop to prohibit theballs from rolling out through the front opening of said compartment,and said balls being individually dispensed by flexing the leading endof said tongue downwardly to dispense a ball out through the frontopening from said compartment.

2. A carrier for golf clubs comprising means defining a top supporthaving a plane top surface, means defining a bottom support, each ofsaid support means having a plurality of aligned tube seats formedtherein, a tubular member for receiving a golf club fitted into each ofsaid aligned tube seats, means connected to each of said support meansfor detachably connecting said carrier to a wheeled golf cart, said topsupport having integrally formed therewith a golf ball storing anddispensing means, said dispensing means including integrally formedrectangularly disposed depending walls defining a compartment formed onthe underside of said top support, a central partition dividing saidcompartment into two parts, strip means connected between opposed wallportions of said compartment defining a partially opened bottom for eachof said parts, means defining a finger hole in each said strips, andmeans defining a ball dispensing opening over each of said finger holesformed in said top support, each of said ball dispensing openings havinga diameter greater than that of the balls stored in said compartment,said dispensing openings being disposed in alignment with the respectivefinger holes so that a ball can be dispensed by pushing the ballupwardly through the dispensing openings by insertion of ones finger inthe said respectively associated finger hole.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said top support isprovided with means for retaining a score card thereon so that saidscore card defines a closure for said ball dispensing openings when saidscore card is re tained in position on said top support and thereby prohibits unintentional removal of the balls from said compartment.

4. In combination with a wheeled golf cart having a central supportcolumn and a pair of wheels mounted thereon, the improvement of animproved golf club carrier adapted to be detachably connected to saidcart comprising:

(a) a top support plate having a series of apertures formed therein todefine spaced tube seats,

(b) a bottom support plate having a series of recessed tube seats formedtherein, each of said recessed tube seats being disposed in co-axialalignment with a corresponding apertured tube seat of said top supportplate,

(c) said recessed tube seats having tapered wall portions extendingdownwardly and inwardly,

(d) a series of elongated tubular members extended between said supportplates, each of said tubular member having a slotted lower end portion,

(e) said tubular members each having its upper end fitted in theaperture tube seat of the upper support plate, and having theirrespective slotted lower end frictionally wedged into a recessed tubeseat of said bottom support plate,

(f) means defining a golf ball dispensing compartment integrallyconnected to said top plate,

(g) said latter means including depending enclosing walls connected tothe undersurface of said top support plate to define an opened frontcompartment, and a resilient member spaced from said top support plateand connected at one end to an enclosing wall to define a bottom wallfor said open front compartment, and

(it) said resilient member having its free end defining a stop for theballs at said open front whereby the balls are individually dispensed bya player flexing the free end of said resilient member downwardly torelease a ball stored in said compartment out through the opened frontthereof,

(i) means connected to said top and bottom support plates for detachablyconnecting said carrier to said cart,

(j) an accessory bag interposed between said top and bottom supportplates,

(k) said accessory bag having a sleeve formed integral therewith, saidbag being connected to said carrier by a tube being threaded in saidsleeve,

(l) and means formed in said top plate for holding in place thereon apencil, tees and scoring card in ever ready position.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 and including a shoulder strapadapted to be detachably connected to said top and bottom supports.

6. A device for golf accessories comprising a support having integrallyformed therewith a golf ball dispensing means, said golf ball dispensingmeans includes depending wall portions connected substantially normal tothe un dersurface of said support to define a front opening compartmentsized for receiving a plurality of golf balls disposed in line therein,and a resilient tongue member defining a bottom for said compartment toform the bottom support for each of said balls disposed within saidcompartment, the leading end of said tongue being bent upwardly towardsaid support to define a stop to prohibit the balls from rolling outthrough the front opening of said compartment, and said balls beingindividually dispensed by flexing the leading end of said tonguedownwardly to dispense a ball out through the front opening from saidcompartment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,695,411 12/28Busch 287-126 X 1,973,819 9/34 Link. 2,024,484 12/35 Smith l50l.5

(Other references on following page)

1. A CARRIER FOR GLOF CLUBS COMPRISING MEANS DEFINING A TOP SUPPORTHAVING A PLANE TOP SURFACE, MEANS DEFINING A BOTTOM SUPPORT, EACH OFSAID SUPPORT MEANS HAVING A PLURALITY OF ALIGNED TUBE SEATS FORMEDTHEREIN, A TUBULAR MEMBER FOR RECEIVING A GOLF CLUB FITTED INTO EACH OFSAID ALIGNED TUBE SEATS, MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID SUPPORT MEANSFOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING SAID CARRIER TO A WHEELED GOLF CART, WHEREINSAID TOP SUPPORT HAS INTEGRALLY FORMED THEREWITH A GOLF BALL DISPENSINGMEANS INCLUDING DEPENDING WALL PORTIONS CONNECTED SUBSTANTIALLY NORMALTO THE UNDERSURFACE OF SAID TOP SUPPORT MEANS TO DEFINE A FRONT OPENINGCOMPARTMENT SIZED FOR RECEIVING A PLURALITY